And I am, in any case, on SuPo's books as a dangerous subversive. <he wrote in exasperation at the lack of acknowledgement for his contributions to Finnish culture>

But I think I must warn you, if you think you are going to jump the queue and shake the hand of the Prez before me, that the combined effects of a thousand people giving off 8 watts of heat each, in a building for which AC means opening doors, and bathed in the tungsten heat/light of the media kleig lights, it gets very very hot. 'Sweating like pigs' is not a noble description, but it is accurate.

This being so, we now have the disturbing news that several prominent guests will be going 'commando'.

Chairman of the Centre Party: "I won't be using drawers'

He is not alone. Several other prominent politicians have announced their intentions to travel and dance light. We'll have to rename it the Feast of St Knickerless, close as it is to the Yule festivities.

My prediction: the after parties that fill the night spots of Helsinki after the Palace do, will be full of challenges to demonstrate underwear status. And you think I'm joking?

You can't be me, I'm taken